Cross-party backing for city Cultúrlann

Under an ongoing consultation the authority is seeking views on the potential diversion of funding from the Great James Street centre to support new cultúrlanna around the country.

Some have suggested doing so would force Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin’s closure.

The matter was raised by Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell who, at Thursday’s monthly council meeting urged that the Derry centre’s funding be maintained at its current level.

Colr. Campbell pointed out that the current footfall at the local Irish centre is 70,000 people per annum and that Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin currently supports 22 full-time employees.

Colr. Campbell proposed “that Derry City and Strabane District Council notes with concern the current consultation being carried out by Foras Na Gaeilge relating to funding of Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. This consultation may result in the Cultúrlann losing a major portion of its funding and could, potentially, result in the building closing. Council acknowledges the immense contribution that the Cultúrlann has made to the promotion of the Irish language and Irish culture in Derry as well as its efforts to make the language accessible on a cross-community basis to all citizens of the city. We call on Foras Na Gaeilge to implement Option (ii) to ensure that any future policy does not jeopardise the future of Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.”

Option (ii) would maintain An Cultúrlann’s funding as it is. His motion won cross-community support with DUP Alderman David Ramsey among those praising the work of Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.

Alderman Ramsey told members how he remembered the Cultúrlann welcoming musicians from the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist marching band tradition through its engagement with the Londonderry Bands Forum during the Fleadh and that his party was happy to support the motion.